The Knitter's (Last Minute) Wish List

Ok, so you left it to the last minute and now there’s no time. No time for making, shopping or shipping. All is not lost! Here are some “instant” gifts that are sure to light up your favorite knitter. (Get thee to the computer, get thee online and plug in thy printer.)

GIVE THE GIFT OF RAVELRY: There are a couple of ways to give fabulous knitting patterns with Ravelry. Since 2009, Ravelry has offered the “Send As A Gift” link on each pattern page that allows a shopper to send a pattern directly to a knitter. It’s even wrapped! Take a peek at this post from Ravelry’s blog “Unravelled” for details.

Don’t know which pattern a knitter might enjoy? Try Giftly.com! This is a very cool spin on the traditional gift card idea. Here’s how it works:

Give a gift card via email, text, print out, or a high-quality greeting card in the mail.
The recipient chooses the most convenient way to receive the gift: as a gift card in the mail or as a credit to their credit card or PayPal account.
You suggested something you think they’d like, they share with you how they spent the money.

It’s as easy as that! And Ravelry is on the list along with many other very clever ideas. Neat, huh? Finish it off with a gift certificate for yarn!

KNITPICKS GIFT CERTIFICATE: Print it right from your laptop or tablet and include it in the box with the Ravelry gift card! It looks pretty and will give your knitter hours of yarn surfing fun.

MAKE YOUR OWN KNIT-KIT! Are you a knitter yourself? Why not grab a pattern (or pattern certificate), and choose a pretty yarn from your stash? Select a yarn that your knitter has admired in the past or choose something you know she’d never buy herself. If you’ve got time, throw in some DIY Stitch Markers or run down to your LYS for a special set of needles.

ETSY!: Ahhhh Etsy! Home of everything wonderful from patterns to yarns to tools, vintage items, art work…you name it! Did you know that Etsy offers gift cards? Yes! As a knitter, I know what I’d choose…hand dyed yarn, project bags, pretty stitch markers…

Broke? How about some free printable Knit Gift Labels? You could bundle these pretty things with a little handmade gift ticket for services like “Will Weave-In Ends on Your Next Project” or “Will Organize Knitting Needles and Yarn”…customize them!